The Picture of Love

Tahlequah.

She breaks my heart.

Here she is, 16 days after the death of her calf, still carrying his lifeless body.

I get her.  Oh, boy, do I get her.

She can't let him go.

Her whole situation is mesmerizing.  You see, the pod, J-35, is an endangered pod of orcas in the Pacific Northwest.  Researchers are watching them closely.  Tahlequah's calf was born on July 24 near the San Juan Islands in Washington state.  Tahlequah has since swum hundreds of miles, carrying her child with her the entire way.  When he slides off, she dives down and retrieves him.

When her calf died, the pod held a type of ritual.  It was clear to researchers that it was a mourning ritual.  Then they began to swim away.  But Tahlequah did not let go.

About 10 days into the journey, as researchers began to voice concern over her own health, an amazing thing happened.  Other members of the pod began carrying her baby, taking turns so the grieving Momma could eat and rest.

I stand in awe.

I don't know how, but they know.  They know.  She needs them to step in and help carry the weight of her grief.  To show up.  To help her to eat...to live...to breathe.  And they're doing it.

It's such a beautiful picture of grief.  And of love.